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New fee structure for Phee Broadway Theatre

Thursday 22 March 2018

Mount Alexander Shire Council has introduced a new fee structure for hiring Castlemaine’s Phee Broadway Theatre to provide more affordable access to the venue.

The new pricing structure meet the needs of local theatre companies and community groups to ensure hire fees are affordable while still meeting Council’s obligations regarding safety.

The revised hire model considers the capabilities of user groups to manage risk as well as the type of event being held in the theatre. It also waives rehearsal fees for community theatre groups.

Vicki Anderson, Cultural Development Officer at Mount Alexander Shire Council said the revised fee structure was the result of consultation with local theatre companies such as Castlemaine Theatre Company and Three’s A Crowd.

“We worked closely with our main user groups to respond to their proposal and get the right fee structure and conditions in place,” said Ms Anderson.

“We also received strong direction from Councillors to ensure the venue remains affordable.

“This is a great outcome for the community and will increase usage of the shire’s premier theatre venue,” she said.

Council has lined up a year of local programming at the theatre to activate the space.

“Our entire line-up at The Phee in 2018 is a celebration of home-grown talent, including the venue’s first residency program supported by the Regional Centre for Culture,” said Ms Anderson.

The Phee Broadway Theatre ‘At Home’ residency program supports local creatives to develop and perform their work over two or four week blocks.

The program has already featured The Starship Stowaway by Mark Penzak, performed to North Castlemaine Primary School. Castlemaine Youth Theatre’s production of the The Scones Are To Die For opens this week.

The 22 week At Home residency program also includes projects by Ms Evie’s School of Tap, The Meeting Place, Kavisha Mazzella, The Red Room Theatre, Over the Moon Studio and Company On Foot.

The Regional Centre for Culture 2018 is an initiative of the Victorian Government in partnership with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Corporation, City of Greater Bendigo, and the Shires of Central Goldfields, Hepburn and Mount Alexander.

Image: Students recently enjoyed a performance by Mark Penzak at the Phee Broadway Theatre